Standardized Test - Which one should I use?

[luckymom]

I would like to have my kids take a standardized test this year as an evaluation tool and I am wondering if there is a preference on this board for one test vs. another.  This would be for grades 4 & 5.

 

Thanks. 

[Homeschoolmom3]

For what is worth and from what I have gathered......CAT is one of the "easier" tests.  Stanford and Iowa are the top one givens that I am aware of.  My son started in a private school and when I pulled him out in 2nd grade I just continued with what they used to keep it consistent.  We have been very pleased with the Stanford 10, and I like that is not timed (particularly when they are young).  Iowa I believe might be timed but heard it is about the same in regard to rigor.  I hope this helps you.  Whatever you choose I would recommend keeping it the same so you can see their progress as they grow.  HTH!

[happypamama]

We use the online CAT (through Christian Liberty Press) because it is the most basic that fulfills our state's requirement (math and English only, no science, no social studies, no writing) and because it's easy to do at home where the computer administers the test. What I like about it is that students finishing grades 3, 4, and 5 all do the same level, and it is literally the exact same test, same questions every year (DD said she remembered some of them), so it gives a good idea of their progress between grades 3 and 5 (which are the years we have to test, plus 8th). So when DD's scores went up from grade 3 to grade 5, I knew it was because she'd learned more stuff, not merely because of a good test day or luck with the questions.

 

If money is a question (CLP charges $25 per student), you may also be able to contact your local school district and have your students test with theirs. That may vary with the state, though, but here in PA, my district has to allow my students to test with theirs, and I believe it is free to me to do so. (I elect not to do that, for several reasons).

[luckymom]

Very helpful replies. Thank you!

[Squawky Acres]

We take the Stanford 10, which I can administer to the kids myself.  It does take some time to complete (5 hours?), but I like that it is untimed.  The kids find it to be an enjoyable break from school, as it is simple and easy, and has colorful pictures and little stories.   We go down to the study in the basement, and I give them special snacks and my undivided attention, so it is a fun time with Mom.  I do plan to transition the kids into a timed test for their later elementary years, as working under time pressure is certainly an important test-taking skill to develop.  I don't find that the kids dawdle on the Stanford 10, though.  

 

The Social Studies and Science sections are rather straightforward, but Social Studies seemed to be completely U.S. History and Government, so that was discouraging to my WTM history-cycled children.  They did just fine anyway, as the correct answers were either common knowledge or easy to deduce, but they were indignant that they had learned all about Romans and Vikings and Monks and there was not a Roman to be seen on the test.

[mschickie]

If you are just doing it for yourself I highly recommend the PASS Test by Hewitt. It was designed for homeschoolers. The reports also provide more details to help you figure out where your kids might need more help.

[luuknam]

For what is worth and from what I have gathered......CAT is one of the "easier" tests.  Stanford and Iowa are the top one givens that I am aware of.

 

Er, they're *standardized* tests, right? So, assuming each of those used an appropriate sample of students to base their standardization off of, one shouldn't be 'easier' than the others... e.g. 85th percentile is better than 85% of students regardless of the test...

 

The BIG reason to do the CAT rather than Stanford or Iowa is that you don't need a bachelor's degree to administer the CAT. It's a nonsense requirement (as if one would be better able to give a test with a random bachelor's degree than without one), but there you go. It's sort of ticking me off, but at least it's saving me time in having to decide which test to use.

[Another Lynn]

FYI, the Stanford-10 is going away.  I think it's still available this year, but I'm not sure how long after that. 

[mschickie]

Pearsons has recently announced they are not discontinuing the Stanford right now. It may be discontinued next year but there is no way to tell. I suspect they are writing a new test that reflects more of the common core mind set and they realized they would not have it ready for next year.

[Squawky Acres]

Pearsons has recently announced they are not discontinuing the Stanford right now. It may be discontinued next year but there is no way to tell. I suspect they are writing a new test that reflects more of the common core mind set and they realized they would not have it ready for next year.

 

That's another reason why we are planning to switch to something like the Iowa next year, as I am not sure what plans for the Stanford are.  I like to take the same test each year, so would like to commit to something that will be around for a while.

 

How different is the PASS test from the other standardized tests, and is it just for homeschoolers?

[kateingr]

That's another reason why we are planning to switch to something like the Iowa next year, as I am not sure what plans for the Stanford are. I like to take the same test each year, so would like to commit to something that will be around for a while.

 

How different is the PASS test from the other standardized tests, and is it just for homeschoolers?

Where do you buy the Stanford 10? I'd like my third grader to do a test this year, and I like the idea of doing the first one at home.

[rocassie]

Where do you buy the Stanford 10? I'd like my third grader to do a test this year, and I like the idea of doing the first one at home.

We went through Seton Testing Services online.  I got a recommendation from a friend so I went ahead and used it, but I do know there are other options, but I didn't look into anything else.

[Squawky Acres]

Where do you buy the Stanford 10? I'd like my third grader to do a test this year, and I like the idea of doing the first one at home.

 

I get them through BJU Press Testing and Evaluation Service, as I found the testing division to be prompt, friendly, and very professional (we do not use BJU curriculum).  I have also heard that Seton is a good option.

 

It is so helpful to do a test at home first.  I love being able to see how they are answering questions --- at least for the parts that are not done independently.  It also allows me to present test-taking as a fun game or riddle, so that they have absolutely no test anxiety in these early years.  They think tests are so fun that my Kindergartener is begging for her own test this year (not required in my state, but might be fun to do anyway).

 

This probably results in inflated scores, as they are so comfortable taking a test at home.  It is also difficult to remain neutral and proctor-ish while your child is asking about a question, and you see a teachable moment, but are not allowed to teach at that moment.  And it is difficult to see your child answer something incorrectly when you know that she knows it!

 

In another year or two, I will look for opportunities for my third grader to test with other students in a more public test environment (maybe at our local school?).  That is another important skill to master before the tests really start to matter.

[mschickie]

The PASS just covers language arts, math and reading. It is only available for grades 3-8. The other difference is that you give the child a placement test before taking it. The placement test places the child in the right level of the test. You also get a more detailed report.

[displace]

We also use the IOWA from seton testing. Ours is untimed.

[Targhee]

Er, they're *standardized* tests, right? So, assuming each of those used an appropriate sample of students to base their standardization off of, one shouldn't be 'easier' than the others... e.g. 85th percentile is better than 85% of students regardless of the test...

Two considerations on "easier"

First, one may include more difficult questions intended to tease out that top percentages more accurately. Or it may simply be worded and structured in a way that is easier if you have no prior experience with the format - some tests really need prep work to help understand the question style and be successful.

 

Second, 85th percentile means 85th percentile of the kids taking THIS test. If test A is used more often in generally lower performing areas and test B is used more often in higher performing areas the same student taking both tests will score higher on test A than test B, because their percentiles are determined by comparing them to a different group in each test.

[luuknam]

Second, 85th percentile means 85th percentile of the kids taking THIS test. If test A is used more often in generally lower performing areas and test B is used more often in higher performing areas the same student taking both tests will score higher on test A than test B, because their percentiles are determined by comparing them to a different group in each test.

 

I thought that they normed them on a group of kids, not on all the kids who ever take the test.

[Targhee]

I thought that they normed them on a group of kids, not on all the kids who ever take the test.

Yes, I believe you are right. But the sample students who form the norm are taken from the general population of the test takers. If there's a significant difference between the two general populations wouldn't it stand to reason that their norm groups were significantly different as well?

[luuknam]

Yes, I believe you are right. But the sample students who form the norm are taken from the general population of the test takers. If there's a significant difference between the two general populations wouldn't it stand to reason that their norm groups were significantly different as well?

 

I thought that generally, test developers try to talk a few different schools from different socio-economic backgrounds into letting them give the test to some of their classes in order to norm it. In which case they're not norming them on different populations per se.

 

That said, I haven't looked up whether all of the above-mentioned tests are properly normed.

[J-rap]

We used the Iowa and never used anything else so I can't compare.  But, I liked it.  It seemed solid, and it also covered Science and Social Studies which I liked.  (Although those subjects tended to be more "off" the grade level we were on, since generally what you cover in those subjects from year to year can vary a lot.)

 

It was timed, and took about 5-6 hours if I remember correctly, though we spread it out over several days.  I could administer it myself with a college degree, but I did need to send in proof of my degree.

[cmarango]

I give the ITBS since I can order it and give it at home.  Sometimes I am befuddled by the questions, and wouldn't know which answer to pick.  However, by giving the test myself I get immediate feedback since I can look over her answers to each section after we finish the testing for the day.  But, would I put a whole lot of stock in those scores?  Probably not...she tests better than average, but I feel the real advantage lies in me being able to look over her answers to know which exact questions she missed.  If I did not have access to the test then I think it would be completely unhelpful experience.